NFL Week 14 Preview: Playoff spots are on the line for 3 teams

Week 14 of the 2022 season will begin with the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Las Vegas Raiders and end with the Arizona Cardinals taking on the New England Patriots.

The matchups aren’t as exciting as last week, but it’s Sunday’s game that will get a lot of attention. Three division matchups will be very intriguing as the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs all look to clinch a playoff spot.

Jalen Hurts has proven himself worthy of an MVP award, as has Patrick Mahomes. The Vikings clicked very well in attack, which is why they played very well. All of these tams will be tested on Sunday at a crucial time in the season.

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Read below for a small preview.

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Giants (7-4-1) vs. Eagles (11-1) – 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The Eagles and Giants will meet on Sunday in such an important game between two NFC East foes. Philadelphia is looking to close out the division title while the Giants hope to prove they belong in the playoff picture with a win.

The Eagles can clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie over the Giants or a loss to the San Francisco 49ers and a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on the day. San Francisco plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seahawks play the Carolina Panthers.

There are no playoff scenarios for the Giants, but New York will definitely have to win to maintain their playoff chances.

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Lions (5-7) vs. Vikings (10-2) – 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Minnesota is neck and neck with the Eagles for the NFL’s best record and could tie that mark if they win and Philly loses. NFC North isn’t as tight as NFC East, and a division title could be sealed for the Vikings with a win or draw against the Lions on Sunday.

Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson turned the Vikings into offensive juggernauts. Cook has rushed for 927 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Jefferson had 88 catches for 1,277 yards and six touchdowns. They will be forced to reckon with the season.

Detroit could very well pull off the surprise. Jared Goff has played well this season. Detroit is sixth in points scored and seventh in yards gained, but the defense is last in points and yards allowed.

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Broncos (3-9) vs. Chiefs (9-3) – 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

It’s nearly impossible to fire Russell Wilson, but his play hasn’t been great this season. The nine-time Pro Bowler has lost four straight and the Broncos haven’t scored at least 20 points since Week 8. They’ve only scored at least 20 points twice this season.

It’s not really the offense the Chiefs have to worry about next Sunday. It will be the defense. Denver is second in points allowed and third in yards allowed despite being 3-9. It could really keep Kansas City from clicking on all cylinders.

Kansas City will be looking to clinch an AFC West title. The Chiefs need a win and a Los Angeles Chargers loss to the Miami Dolphins later Sunday night to wrap up the title. Mahomes and Travis Kelce have been riding lately.

Mahomes needs at least 192 passing yards on Sunday to join Peyton Manning as the only players in NFL history with at least 4,000 passing yards in five of their first six seasons.

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49ers (8-4) vs. Buccaneers (6-6) – 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Tom Brady returns to the Bay Area to face the team he loved as a kid – the 49ers. Brady and the Buccaneers are coming off a win over the New Orleans Saints and have some momentum going into this game against the 49ers.

San Francisco will be without Jimmy Garoppolo for the foreseeable future, but as long as Brock Purdy can move the ball well enough, the 49ers defense should be able to contain the Buccaneers, who seem to be struggling until late in games where Brady can do his thing and get a win.

This is an exhibition match for both teams. San Francisco needs to prove they’re legitimate playoff contenders even without Garoppolo, while Tampa Bay needs to prove they’re not as bad as the pundits and pundits think.

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Chargers (6-6) vs. Dolphins (8-4) – 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Ending Sunday’s slate of games will be a 2020 quarterback game — Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa. The two star players could decide who really is the best and spark a debate among fans over who really did the right thing with their selections.

The game was flexed and not the Sunday night spot given the potential of both teams in the playoffs. Herbert and the Chargers, who have been battered all season, haven’t raced to truly declare themselves playoff contenders. The Dolphins, who are also battered, will need to stay healthy enough to keep up the pace in the tight AFC East.

This game should be good enough to finish the weekend.

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The rest of Sunday’s schedule (all times Eastern)

• 1 p.m.: Bills (9-3) against Jets (7-5), CBS
• 1 p.m.: Bengals (8-4) vs. Browns (5-7), CBS
• 1 p.m.: Cowboys (9-3) vs. Texans (1-10-1), FOX
• 1 p.m.: Titans (7-5) vs. Jaguars (4-8), CBS
• 1 p.m.: Steelers (5-7) vs. Ravens (8-4), CBS
• 4:25 p.m .: Seahawks (7-5) against Panthers (4-8), FOX